CN116715058A

CN116715058A - Sheet feeding apparatus, image reading device, and image forming device

Info

Publication number: CN116715058A
Application number: CN202310937745.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川澄拓矢
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2020-02-07
Filing date: 2021-02-03
Publication date: 2023-09-08
Also published as: CN113247652B; JP2021123493A; US20210250455A1; CN113247652A; US11252295B2

Abstract

Sheet feeding apparatus, image reading device, and image forming device, including: stacking trays; a feeding section; a first restriction member including a first restriction surface and a first support portion; a second restriction member including a second restriction surface and a second support portion; and a linkage part. In a state where the first restriction surface and the second restriction surface are closest to each other, a part of the first restriction portion is located on the second restriction surface side with respect to a center line of the stack tray, and a part of the second restriction portion is located on the first restriction surface side with respect to the center line.

Description

Sheet feeding apparatus, image reading device, and image forming device

The present application is a divisional application of an application patent application having an application date of 2021, 2 nd month 3 days, application number of 202110147195.2, and the application name of "sheet feeding apparatus, image reading device, and image forming device".

Technical Field

The present application relates to a sheet feeding apparatus, an image reading device, and an image forming device, which include a stack tray for stacking sheets, and include a first restriction member and a second restriction member that restrict positions of the sheets with respect to a width direction of the sheets.

Background

In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine, in some cases, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for feeding an original as a sheet to an image reading portion is provided. In the ADF disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-766, an original tray for stacking originals (sheets) is provided such that two side restricting plates (side guide mechanisms) for restricting positions in the width direction of the original are in contact with opposite ends of an end portion of the original in the width direction of the original. The user stacks the original on the original tray and slides (moves) the two side restriction plates so as to contact the side end portions (end portions) of the original. Thereby, the position in the width direction of the original set on the original tray (stack tray) is restricted, so that the posture of the original can be satisfactorily maintained when the original is fed and the image on the original is read by the image reading apparatus.

Each of the side restriction plates described above includes a restriction surface that contacts a side end (portion) of the original and a support portion that contacts an upper surface of the stack tray for supporting the restriction surface. The support portion is provided inside the side restriction plate with respect to the width direction of the sheet.

In recent years, there is a demand that a user desire to read an original, such as a business card or receipt, having a smaller size in the width direction of the original (sheet) by the ADF. In this case, in order to restrict the side end portion of the original whose size in the width direction is small, it is necessary to bring the two side restriction plates closer to each other in the width direction. Therefore, it is necessary to shorten the length of each of the support portions in the width direction.

However, in the case where the length of the supporting portion in the width direction is shortened, the inclination of the restricting surface becomes large due to the influence of variations in the size and tolerance of the constituent parts. In the case where the supporting portion is inclined inward between the two side restriction plates, when a bundle of originals is placed on the stack tray, the originals are sandwiched between the two side restriction plates, particularly at an upper portion of the restriction surface. In this case, when feeding a sheet (original), the feeding resistance becomes large, possibly resulting in incorrect feeding. On the other hand, in the case where the restriction surfaces are inclined outward with respect to the two side restriction plates, a gap is formed between the end in the width direction of the original and the associated restriction surface, particularly at the upper portion of the restriction surfaces. In this case, it is possible that the original is inclined with respect to its feeding direction, and thus caused to move obliquely during feeding.

Disclosure of Invention

A main object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding apparatus, an image reading device, and an image forming device capable of reducing the occurrence of incorrect feeding and tilting movement of a sheet having a smaller size in the width direction of the sheet.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding apparatus including: a stacking tray configured to stack sheets; a feeding portion configured to feed sheets stacked on the stack tray; a first restriction member including a first restriction surface for restricting one end side of a sheet provided on an upper surface of the stack tray and a first supporting portion that is in contact with the upper surface of the stack tray and that is for supporting the first restriction surface, and that is movable in a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to a feeding direction of the sheet; a second restriction member including a second restriction surface for restricting the other end side of the sheet disposed on the upper surface of the stack tray opposite to the one end side of the sheet and a second supporting portion that is in contact with the upper surface of the stack tray and that supports the second restriction surface and is movable in a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to a feeding direction of the sheet; and a linkage configured to link the first restriction member and the second restriction member to each other such that a distance from a center line of the stack tray extending in a feeding direction of the sheets to the first restriction surface and a distance from the center line to the second restriction surface are equal to each other in a width direction of the sheets, wherein a part of the first restriction portion is located on a second restriction surface side with respect to the center line and a part of the second restriction portion is located on a first restriction surface side with respect to the center line in a state where the first restriction surface and the second restriction surface are closest to each other.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole printer according to the first embodiment.

Part (a) of fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an image reading apparatus provided with an ADF in the first embodiment, and part (b) of fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an image forming portion.

Part (a) of fig. 3 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first and second side restriction plates in the first embodiment are closed, and part (b) of fig. 3 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first and second side restriction plates in the first embodiment are open.

Part (a) of fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the entirety of the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate in the first embodiment, and part (b) of fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate in the first embodiment are closed.

Part (a) of fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate in the first embodiment are provided on the stack tray, and part (b) of fig. 5 is a side view of the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate seen from the arrow a direction of part (a) of fig. 5.

Part (a) of fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the side restriction mechanism in a state where the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate are opened, and part (b) of fig. 6 shows the side restriction mechanism in a state where the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate are closed.

Part (a) of fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a component tolerance of the second side restriction plate, an inclination of the restriction surface, and a positional tolerance of the restriction surface in the first embodiment, and part (b) of fig. 7 is a schematic top plan view showing a relationship between a positional tolerance of the first restriction surface and the second restriction surface and a placed original in the first embodiment.

Part (a) of fig. 8 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first and second side restriction plates in the second embodiment are closed, and part (b) of fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the first and second side restriction plates in the second embodiment.

Part (a) of fig. 9 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first and second side restriction plates in the third embodiment are closed, and part (b) of fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the first and second side restriction plates in the third embodiment.

Part (a) of fig. 10 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first and second side restriction plates in the fourth embodiment are closed, and part (b) of fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the first and second side restriction plates in the fourth embodiment.

Part (a) of fig. 11 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first side restriction plate provided with the first shorter supporting portion and the second side restriction plate provided with the second shorter supporting portion are closed, and part (b) of fig. 11 is a perspective view of the entire ADF in a state where the first side restriction plate provided with the first shorter supporting portion and the second side restriction plate provided with the second shorter supporting portion are open.

Part (a) of fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a component tolerance of the second side restriction plate provided with the shorter second support portion, an inclination of the restriction surface, and a positional tolerance of the restriction surface, and part (b) of fig. 12 is a schematic top plan view showing a relationship between a positional tolerance between the first restriction surface and the second restriction surface and a placed original in a case where the shorter first support portion and the shorter second support portion are used.

Detailed Description

< first embodiment >

[ general Structure ]

Next, a first embodiment will be described. The printer 100 as the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is a laser beam printer of an electrophotographic type. As shown in fig. 1, the printer 100 includes: a printer main assembly 70; an image reading apparatus 10 mounted on the printer main assembly 70; and an operation section 90 including a display section 91 and operation keys 92 capable of performing various notifications and operations. As shown in fig. 2, the printer main assembly 70 includes an imaging engine 60. Incidentally, hereinafter, the sheet includes special paper such as thick paper and coated paper, recording materials having special shapes such as envelopes and index papers, and plastic films and cloths for overhead projectors, etc., in addition to plain paper, and originals are also examples of the sheet.

As shown in part (b) of fig. 2, the image forming engine 60 as an image forming portion includes an image forming unit PU as an image forming means of an electrophotographic type and a fixing device 7. When an instruction to start an image forming operation is given, a photosensitive drum 1 as a photosensitive member rotates, and the drum surface thereof is charged by a charging device 2. Then, the exposure device 3 modulates and outputs laser light based on image data transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10 or an external computer, and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with the laser light, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) into a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 4.

In parallel with such an image forming operation, a feeding operation for feeding sheets stacked in a cassette not shown or on a manual feed tray not shown toward the image forming engine 60 is performed. The fed sheet is conveyed in accordance with the progress of the image forming operation performed by the image forming unit PU. Then, the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 5. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer of the toner image is collected by the cleaning device 6. The sheet having the (unfixed) toner image transferred thereon is conveyed to the fixing device 7, and is heated and pressed by being nipped by the roller pair. The toner is melted and fixed on the sheet, and then the sheet with the image fixed thereon is discharged by a discharge device such as a discharge roller pair.

[ image reading apparatus ]

Next, the image reading apparatus 10 will be specifically described. As shown in part (a) of fig. 2, the image reading apparatus 10 includes an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 20 for feeding originals stacked on an original tray 121 as a stack tray and discharging the originals onto a discharge tray 122, and a reading unit 40 for reading the originals fed by the ADF 20. The ADF 20 constitutes an original feeding apparatus for feeding sheets as originals to the reading unit 40. The reading unit 40 includes a front-side reading unit 104 as a reading portion for reading an image on the front side of the original. Incidentally, the ADF 20 is rotatably supported by the reading unit 40 through a hinge, not shown, so that the original supporting platen glass 101 can be opened. Further, the original as an example of the sheet may be white paper, or may also be a sheet on which an image is formed on one surface or both surfaces.

The ADF 20 as a feeding portion includes a pickup roller 111 as a rotatable feeding member, and a separation driving roller 112 and a retard roller 113 constituting a separation roller pair. The ADF 20 further includes a registration roller pair 114, a guide roller pair 115, a feed roller pair 117, and a discharge roller pair 119. Further, the ADF 20 includes a back surface reading unit 105 as a reading portion. On the other hand, the reading unit 40 includes a platen glass 102, an original supporting platen glass 101, and a front reading unit 104 as image reading means. The front-side reading unit 104 is configured to be slidable (movable), that is, configured to be movable in a sub-scanning direction of a reading sensor, not shown.

As shown in parts (a) and (b) of fig. 3, the document tray 121 includes a side restriction mechanism 30 that is movable in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction on the stacking surface of the document and serves as a width restriction device to come into contact with an end portion of the document with respect to the width direction for restricting the position of the document in the document width direction. The side restriction mechanism 30 is constituted by a pair (two) of a first side restriction plate 31 and a second side restriction plate 32, which serve as a first restriction member and a second restriction member movable in the width direction, respectively. These first side restriction plate 31 and second side restriction plate 32 are connected to a linkage 50 (parts (a) and (b) of fig. 6) constituted by a rack and pinion mechanism described in detail later. Thereby, one of the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 moves, so that the other side restriction plate moves in the width direction in a linked manner. That is, the feeding center of the original is located at the center with respect to the width direction. These side restriction plates 31 and 32 are configured to move toward and away from the center with respect to the width direction, that is, are configured such that the original center is at the same position as the feed center regardless of the original size.

Then, a reading operation of the original will be described using part (a) of fig. 2. The image reading apparatus 10 reads image information from an original by an operation in a flow reading mode in which an image of the original is scanned while the original stacked on the original tray 121 is fed by the ADF 20 and an operation in a fixed reading mode in which the original placed on the original supporting platen glass 101 is scanned. In the case where an original stacked on the original tray 121 is detected by an original presence/absence sensor, not shown, or in the case where a user explicitly designates a mode by the operation section 90 or the like, a flow reading mode is selected.

When performing an operation in the flow reading mode, the pickup roller 111 lowers and contacts the uppermost document of the documents on the document tray 121. Then, the original is fed by the pickup roller 111, and separated one by one in a separation nip formed by the separation driving roller 112 and the retard roller 113. In the rotation support structure of the retard roller 113, a torque limiter is provided such that when the number of fed originals is 1, the retard roller 113 rotates together with the separation drive roller 112, and when the number of fed originals is 2 or more, the retard roller 113 does not rotate. Thus, the retard roller 113 can separate the originals one by one. Incidentally, a drive (driving force) in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction may also be input to the retard roller 113. On the other hand, in order to read an original document fed simultaneously with the lowering of the pickup roller 111, the front surface reading unit 104 moves below the platen glass 102.

The original to be fed is fed toward the platen glass 102 by the registration roller pair 114 and the guide roller pair 115.

In the case of front reading, a front image of an original is read by the front reading unit 104 through the platen glass 102. The reading surface of the original is irradiated with light by a light source for the front side reading unit 104, and reflected light from the original surface is photoelectrically converted row by a light receiving element of a not-shown reading sensor. The photoelectrically converted image information is transferred to an image memory of a controller not shown. Then, the original passing through the platen glass 102 is guided to the feed roller pair 117, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 122 by the discharge roller pair 119.

In the case of double-surface (face) reading, as described above, the front face is read by the front-face reading unit 104, and the back-face image of the original is read by the back-face reading unit 105. Similarly, the reading surface is irradiated with light by a light source for the back surface reading unit 105, and reflected light from the original surface is photoelectrically converted row by a light receiving element of a reading sensor not shown. The photoelectrically converted image information is transferred to an image memory of the controller.

On the other hand, in the case where the image reading apparatus detects an original placed on the original supporting platen glass 101, or in the case where the user explicitly designates a fixed reading mode through the operation section 90, the fixed reading mode is selected. In these cases, the original on the original supporting platen glass 101 is not moved, so that the original is scanned with light by moving the front reading unit 104 along the original supporting platen glass 101. Similarly, the image information photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element of the read sensor of the front side read unit 104 is transferred to the image memory of the controller.

[ side limiting mechanism ]

Next, the detailed structure of the side restriction mechanism 30 will be described using parts (a) and (b) of fig. 4, parts (a) and (b) of fig. 5, and parts (a) and (b) of fig. 6. As shown in part (a) of fig. 4 to part (b) of fig. 6, the side restriction mechanism 30 is constituted by including a first side restriction plate 31, a second side restriction plate 32, and a linkage 50 for linking the movement of these plates in the width direction to each other. Incidentally, hereinafter, based on the center position B that is the center line between the first restriction surface of the first side restriction plate 31 and the second restriction surface of the second side restriction plate 32, the side opposite to the center position B is referred to as the inside, and the side opposite to the inside is referred to as the outside. Further, when the first supporting portion 31B and the second supporting portion 32B are described later, the portions thereof integrally connected with the first restricting portion 31A and the second restricting portion 32A, respectively, are referred to as a base, the portion opposite to the base is referred to as a free end, the side of the base is referred to as a base side, and the side of the free end is referred to as a free end side.

In the present first embodiment, as shown in part (a) of fig. 4 and part (a) of fig. 6, the first side restriction plate 31 includes a first restriction portion 31A, a first support portion 31B, and a first sliding portion 31C. The first restriction portion 31A is provided so as to protrude upward from the document stacking surface 121A of the document tray 121. On the first restriction portion 31A, a first restriction surface 31Aa is formed for restricting the position of the widthwise end portion of the original stacked on the original tray 121 by contacting the widthwise end portion of the original. The first restriction surface 31A is provided toward the inside between the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 so as to be opposed to a second restriction surface 32Aa of the second side restriction plate 32 described later. Further, at a position upstream of the first restriction portion 31A with respect to the sheet feeding direction, a grip portion is provided that can be gripped by a user so that the user can operate the grip portion to allow the movement of the first side restriction plate 31 in the width direction.

Further, the first supporting portions 31B are formed at two positions for the (single) first restricting portion 31A. Each of the first support portions 31B is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from above, and is integrally formed with the first restriction portion 31A at the base portion so as to extend toward the free end portion in the width direction. The upper surface 31Ba of the first supporting portion 31B is disposed flush with the document stacking surface 121a of the document tray 121, and constitutes a stacking surface of the document. Incidentally, details of the length of the first supporting portion 31B in the width direction will be described later.

As shown in parts (a) and (B) of fig. 6, the first sliding portion 31C is integrally formed with the first restricting portion 31A and the first supporting portion 31B so as to protrude downward on the side opposite to the upper surface 31Ba of the first supporting portion 31B. On the other hand, as shown in part (a) of fig. 5, the original tray 121 is provided with a guide groove portion 121c formed in a groove (slit) shape extending in the width direction as its longitudinal direction. Further, the original tray 121 is provided with a plurality of ribs 121b protruding upward while extending parallel to the guide groove portions 121 c. On these ribs 121B, as shown in part (a) of fig. 5 and parts (a) and (B) of fig. 6, the base-side slidable portion 31Ab located at the lower end portion of the first restriction portion 31A with respect to the width direction and the free-end-side slidable portion 31Bb located at the lower free end portion of the first support portion 31B with respect to the width direction slide. Accordingly, the first side restriction plate 31 is provided so as to be movable (slidable) with respect to the original tray 121 in the width direction in such a manner that the first sliding portion 31c is guided by the guide groove portion 121c while sliding on the upper surface of the rib 121 c.

Similarly, as shown in part (a) of fig. 4 and part (a) of fig. 6, the second side restriction plate 32 includes a second restriction portion 32A, a second support portion 32B, and a second sliding portion 32C. The second restriction portion 32A is provided so as to protrude upward from the document stacking surface 121a of the document tray 121. On the second restriction portion 32A, a second restriction surface 32Aa is formed for restricting the position of the widthwise end portion of the original stacked on the original tray 121 by contacting the widthwise end portion of the original. The second restriction surface 32A is provided toward the inside between the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 so as to be opposed to the above-described first restriction surface 31Aa of the first side restriction plate 31 described later.

Further, the second supporting portion 32B is formed at a single position for the (single) second limiting portion 32A so as to be located between the two second supporting portions 31B of the first limiting portion 31A with respect to the feeding direction. The second support portion 32B is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from above, and is integrally formed with the second restricting portion 32A at the base portion so as to extend toward the free end in the width direction. The upper surface 32Ba of the second supporting portion 32B is disposed flush with the document stacking surface 121a of the document tray 121, and constitutes a stacking surface of the document. Incidentally, details of the length of the second support portion 32B in the width direction will be described later.

As shown in parts (a) and (B) of fig. 6, the second sliding portion 32C is integrally formed with the second restricting portion 32A and the second supporting portion 32B so as to protrude downward on the side opposite to the upper surface 32Ba of the second supporting portion 32B. As described above, the original tray 121 is provided with the guide groove portion 121e and the plurality of ribs 121b. On these ribs 121B, as shown in part (a) of fig. 5 and parts (a) and (B) of fig. 6, the base-side slidable portion 32Ab located at the lower end portion of the second restriction portion 32A with respect to the width direction and the free-end-side slidable portion 32Bb located at the lower free end portion of the second support portion 32B with respect to the width direction slide. Accordingly, the second side restriction plate 32 is provided so as to be movable (slidable) with respect to the original tray 121 in the width direction in such a manner that the second sliding portion 32c is guided by the guide groove portion 121c while sliding on the upper surface of the rib 121c.

As shown in part (b) of fig. 5 and parts (a) and (b) of fig. 6, the linkage 50 is constituted by a rack and pinion mechanism provided inside the original tray 121. The linkage 50 is constituted by including a first rack 51, a second rack 52, a pinion 53, and a support plate 54. The first rack 51 is connected to one of the first sliding portions 31C of the first side restriction plate 31, and the second rack 52 is connected to the second sliding portion 32C of the second side restriction plate 32. Each of these first rack 51 and second rack 52 is provided on the back surface of the original tray 121, because each of the first slide portion 31C and the second slide portion 32C passes through the associated guide groove portion 121C. Further, the pinion gear 53 is supported not only at its center by the support plate 54 fixed to the original tray 121 on the back surface of the original tray 121, but also is engaged with the first rack 51 and the second rack 52. Thereby, as described above, by moving one of the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate, the other side restriction plate moves in the width direction in conjunction with the one side restriction plate. Therefore, a configuration is adopted in which the center of the original document, which is restricted by the first restricting surface 31Aa and the second restricting surface 32Aa at opposite end portions, is disposed at the same position as the feeding center. Incidentally, when the side restriction mechanism 30 is viewed from above the stack tray (original tray), a part of the first rack 51 and the grip portion 333 are disposed at the overlapping position. Thereby, the user can grasp the portion near the first rack gear 51 so as not to twist the side restriction plate, and thus operability can be improved.

[ positional tolerance of limiting surface due to component tolerance ]

Then, the inclination of the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa caused by the (component) part tolerance in the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 and the positional tolerance of the upper end portions thereof will be described. First, for example, a case will be described in which the length of each of the first support portion and the second support portion in the width direction is half of the width of the business card, so that opposite ends of the business card in the width direction can be respectively restrained by the first restraining surface of the first side restraining plate and the second restraining surface of the second side restraining plate. Incidentally, in the following description, the commonality of the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate will be described taking the second side restriction plate as an example, and the description of the first side restriction plate will be omitted.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 11 are perspective views showing an ADF on which a sheet of, for example, a business card size can be placed. The ADF 10 includes a document tray 121 provided with a side restriction mechanism 530 including a first side restriction plate 531 and a second side restriction plate 532. For example, in the case where business cards are placed on the original tray 121, it is necessary to bring the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532 from positions distant from each other in the width direction as shown in part (b) of fig. 11 to positions close to each other as shown in part (a) of fig. 11, between which the width of the business card is formed. Therefore, the length in the width direction of each of the first support portion 531B and the second support portion 532B of the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532 is formed such that the range reaches a center position (center line) B which is the center in the width direction, that is, the length in the width direction is half the width of the business card in the width direction. Incidentally, the length of each of the first side restriction plates 531 and the second side restriction plates 532 is a normal length L1 (part (b) of fig. 12).

However, when the length of each of the first support portion 531B and the second support portion 532B in the width direction is short, the following problem occurs. As shown in part (a) of fig. 12, the second side restriction plate 532 includes a second restriction portion 532A including a base-side slidable portion 532Ab as a slidable portion with respect to the original tray 121, and the second side restriction plate 532 includes a second support portion 532B including a free-end-side slidable portion 532Bb at a free end of the second support portion 532B as a slidable portion with respect to the original tray 121. It is assumed that a component tolerance d12 in the height direction is generated between the base-side slidable portion 532Ab and the free-end-side slidable portion 532Bb. Then, in the case where the length in the width direction of the second support portion 532B is W11, the second restriction surface 532Aa of the second restriction portion 532A is inclined at the angle θ11, so that a positional error d11 is generated at the upper end portion of the second restriction surface 532 Aa.

Here, also with regard to the first side restriction plate 531, similarly to the case of the second side restriction plate 532, assuming that the component tolerance of the free end portion side slidable portion with respect to the base portion side slidable portion is d12, a positional error d11 is also generated at the upper end portion of the first restriction surface 531Aa, as shown in part (b) of fig. 12. Then, it is assumed that a bundle A4 of originals S1 each having a length LS1 in the feeding direction and a width WS1 in the width direction are set. Then, regarding the width WS1 of the original S1, the length in the width direction at the upper end portions of the first restriction surface 531Aa and the second restriction surface 532Aa is denoted by "ws1+d1x2". Therefore, even when the original S1 placed between the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532 is restricted over the length L1 of each of the first restriction surface 531Aa and the second restriction surface 532Aa, a gap as a positional error of d11x2 is generated. Therefore, the angle θ12 causes the inclination of the maximum tan θ=d11x2/L1, that is, the tilting motion (initial tilting motion) generated from the start of original feeding to become large.

Incidentally, there is also a case in which, with respect to each of the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532, the component tolerance of the free-end-side slidable portion with respect to the base-side slidable portion is opposite to that of the case described above, that is, a case in which the free-end-side slidable portion 532Bb is lower than the base-side slidable portion 532Ab (that is, a case in which the component tolerance is-d 12). In this case, the position error of the upper end portions of the first restriction surface 531Aa and the second restriction surface 532Aa is-d 11, that is, the upper end portions are inclined inward. In this case, in the case where the user sets up the stacked original S1, when the user presses the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532 inward with a large force, the upper original S1 of the stack is tightly held, and thereby a feeding load is applied. Then, incorrect feeding may be caused so that the original S1 cannot be fed by the pickup roller 111. Further, when the user sets the stacked originals S1, the positional error of the lower end portions of the first restriction surface 531Aa and the second restriction surface 532Aa is d11 without the user pressing the first side restriction plate 531 and the second side restriction plate 532 inward with a large force. Therefore, similarly to the above, at the lower portion of the stacked original S1, the tilting motion (initial tilting motion) generated from the start of feeding of the original S1 becomes large.

Then, the inclination of the first and second restriction surfaces 31Aa and 32Aa due to the component tolerance of the first and second side restriction plates 31 and 32 and the positional tolerance of the upper end portions of the respective restriction surfaces will be described in this first embodiment. As shown in part (a) of fig. 7, the length in the width direction of each of the first support portion 31B and the second support portion 32B of the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 is, for example, a length W1, which is the length (width) of the business card in the width direction, respectively. In summary, the length in the width direction is twice the length in the width direction of the second side (bottom) portion 532B shown in part (a) of fig. 12.

That is, the first supporting portions 31B and the second supporting portions 32B are alternately disposed at different positions with respect to the feeding direction. Therefore, in a state where the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 are closest to each other, the free end of the first support portion 31B contacts the second restriction surface 32Aa, and the free end of the second support portion 32B contacts the first restriction surface 31Aa. In other words, in a state where the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 are closest to each other, the first support portion 31B and the second support portion 32B are disposed beyond the center position B, which is the center in the width direction. Therefore, in a state where the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 are closest to each other, the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 overlap each other as seen in the feeding direction.

In the second side restriction plate 32 thus configured, it is assumed that, as shown in part (a) of fig. 7, a component tolerance d2 in the height direction is generated between the base-side slidable portion 32Ab as a portion slidable on the original tray 121 and the free-end-side slidable portion 32Bb as a portion slidable on the original tray 121. Then, the length in the width direction of the second supporting portion 32B is W1, and therefore, the second restricting surface 32Aa of the second restricting portion 32A is inclined at an angle θ1, so that the upper end portion of the second restricting surface 32Aa having the length W2 in the height direction generates a positional error of d1. That is, it is assumed that the component tolerance d2 is equal to the component tolerance d12 (part (a) of fig. 12) described above, and the length W2 in the height direction is equal to the length W12 (part (a) of fig. 12) described above. Then, the length W1 in the width direction of the second support portion 32B is twice the length W11 in the width direction, and therefore, the angle θ1 is half the angle θ11, and the position error d1 is also half the position error d 11.

Further, also similarly, in the first side restriction plate 31, even when the component tolerance d12 of the free end portion side slidable portion 31Bb (portion (b) of fig. 5) with respect to the base portion side slidable portion 31Ab is generated, as shown in portion (b) of fig. 7, the positional error generated at the upper end portion of the first restriction surface 31Aa is d1. Further, it is assumed that the user sets A4-sized bundle of originals S1 having a length LS1 in the feeding direction and a width WS1 in the width direction. Then, with respect to the width WS1 of the original S1, at the upper end portions of the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa, the distance in the width direction is a distance "ws1+d1x2", which is half of the distance "ws1+d1x2". Therefore, in a state where the original S1 is regulated along the length l1 between the first regulating surface 31Aa and the second regulating surface 32Aa, the original S1 placed between the first side regulating plate 31Aa and the second side regulating plate 32Aa generates a gap of the position error d1x2, but the position error d1x2 is half of the position error d11x2 described above. Therefore, the angle θ2 of the original S1 results in a gradient of the maximum tan θ=d11x2/L1, that is, a degree of (initial) tilting motion generated from the start of feeding of the original S1 is reduced.

Further, there is also a case in which, in the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32, the component tolerance of the free end portion side slidable portion with respect to the base portion side slidable portion is opposite, that is, a case in which the free end portion side slidable portion 32Bb is lower than the base portion side slidable portion 32Ab (a case in which the component tolerance is-d 2). Even in this case, the positional error of the upper end portions of the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa is-d 1, so that the upper end portions are inclined inward. However, in the case where the user places the stacked originals S1, even when the user presses the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 inward with a large force, the distance by which the upper original S1 in the stacked originals is tightly nipped is half, so that the feeding load is reduced. Thereby, the occurrence of incorrect feeding of the original S1 that makes it impossible to feed by the pickup roller 111 is also reduced. Further, in the case where the user places the stacked originals S1, when the user does not press the first side restriction plate 31 and the second side restriction plate 32 inward with a large force, the positional error at the lower end portions of the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa becomes d1. Even in this case, the gap generated in the width direction is the position error d1x2 for the lower original S1 in the bundle of originals, so that the degree of the tilting motion generated at the start of feeding from the lower original S1 in the bundle of originals is reduced.

As described above, in the state where the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa are closest to each other, the first support portion 31B and the second support portion 32B are provided so as to straddle the center position B between the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa (part (B) of fig. 4). That is, the free end of the first supporting portion 31B straddles the center position B and is located on the second restricting surface 32Aa side, and the free end of the second supporting portion 32B straddles the center position B and is located on the first restricting surface 31Aa side.

Thereby, a length between the base-side slidable portion 31Ab (32 Ab) and the free-end-side slidable portion 31Bb (32 Bb) provided on the first side restriction plate 31 (second side restriction plate 32) at opposite ends of the portion slidable on the document tray 121 is W1. Then, the length W1 may be made longer than the length W11, the length W11 being half of the length in a state where the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa are closest to each other. Therefore, even when the component tolerance d2 is generated between the base-side slidable portion 31Ab (32 Ab) and the free-end-side slidable portion 31Bb (32 Bb), the inclination angle θ1 of the first restriction surface 31Aa (second restriction surface 32 Aa) can be made small. Thereby, the positional error d1 at the upper end portion of each of the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa can be made small. Therefore, in the case where the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa are inclined inward, the feeding resistance of the set original is reduced, so that the occurrence degree of incorrect feeding can be reduced. Further, in the case where the first restriction surface 31Aa and the second restriction surface 32Aa are inclined outward, the degree of inclination of the placed original in the original feeding direction can be reduced, so that the degree of occurrence of the inclination movement of the original during the feeding of the original can be reduced. Thereby, the degree of inclination of the images read by the front side reading unit 104 and the rear side reading unit 105 can be reduced, so that prevention of degradation of the image reading quality can be achieved.

< second embodiment >

Then, a second embodiment in which the above-described first embodiment is partially modified will be described using parts (a) and (b) of fig. 8. Incidentally, in the following description of the present second embodiment, portions similar to those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals or symbols, and will be omitted from the description.

In the second embodiment, the shapes of the first support portion and the second support portion are changed as compared with the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of fig. 8, the side restriction mechanism 130 in the second embodiment includes a first side restriction plate 131 and a second side restriction plate 132, which are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similarly, the first side restriction plate 131 includes a first restriction portion 131A having a first restriction surface 131Aa, and includes a first support portion 131B. The second side restriction plate 132 includes a second restriction portion 132A having a second restriction surface 132Aa, and includes a second support portion 132B.

Each of the first support portion 131B and the second support portion 132B in the second embodiment is constituted by a single member and is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from above, and the first support portion 131B and the second support portion 132B are disposed at different positions in the feeding direction. Further, in a state where the first restriction surface 131Aa and the second restriction surface 132Aa are closest to each other, the free end portions of the first support portions 131B and 132B cross the center position (center line) B and have lengths in the width direction so that the free end portions thereof contact the second restriction surface 132Aa and the first restriction surface 131Aa, respectively. That is, in a state where the first restriction surface 131Aa and the second restriction surface 132Aa are closest to each other, the first support portion 131B and the second support portion 132B have shapes that overlap each other when viewed from the feeding direction and do not overlap each other when viewed from the width direction. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the degree of inclination of the first and second restriction surfaces 131Aa and 132Aa caused by the component tolerance is reduced, so that the positional error at the upper end portions of these restriction surfaces is also reduced.

Incidentally, other configurations, actions, and effects in the second embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted from the description.

< third embodiment >

Then, a third embodiment in which the above-described first embodiment is partially modified will be described using parts (a) and (b) of fig. 9. Incidentally, in the following description of the present third embodiment, portions similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals or symbols, and will be omitted from the description.

In the third embodiment, the shapes of the first support portion and the second support portion are changed as compared with the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of fig. 9, the side restriction mechanism 230 in the third embodiment includes a first side restriction plate 131 and a second side restriction plate 132, which are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similarly, the first side restriction plate 231 includes a first restriction portion 231A having a first restriction surface 231Aa, and includes a first support portion 231B. The second side restriction plate 232 includes a second restriction portion 232A having a second restriction surface 232Aa, and includes a second support portion 232B.

Each of the first support portion 231B and the second support portion 232B in the third embodiment is constituted of two (plural) portions and is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from above, and the two first support portions 231B and the two second support portions 232B are alternately disposed at different positions in the feeding direction and are thus formed in a so-called comb shape. Further, in a state where the first restriction surface 231Aa and the second restriction surface 232Aa are closest to each other, the free end portions of the first support portion 231B and the second support portion 232B cross the center position (center line) B and have lengths in the width direction so that the free end portions thereof contact the second restriction surface 232Aa and the first restriction surface 231Aa, respectively. That is, in a state where the first restriction surface 231Aa and the second restriction surface 232Aa are closest to each other, the first support portion 231B and the second support portion 232B have shapes that overlap each other when viewed from the feeding direction and do not overlap each other when viewed from the width direction. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the degree of inclination of the first and second restriction surfaces 231Aa and 232Aa caused by the component tolerance is reduced, so that the positional error at the upper end portions of these restriction surfaces is also reduced.

Incidentally, other configurations, actions, and effects in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted from the description.

< fourth embodiment >

Then, a fourth embodiment, in which the above-described first embodiment is partially modified, will be described using parts (a) and (b) of fig. 10. Incidentally, in the following description of the present fourth embodiment, portions similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals or symbols, and will be omitted from the description.

In the fourth embodiment, the shapes of the first support portion and the second support portion are changed as compared with the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of fig. 10, the side restriction mechanism 330 in the fourth embodiment includes a first side restriction plate 331 and a second side restriction plate 332, similar to those in the first embodiment. Similarly, the first side restriction plate 331 includes a first restriction portion 331A having a first restriction surface 331Aa, and includes a first support portion 331B. The second side restriction plate 332 includes a second restriction portion 332A having a second restriction surface 332Aa, and includes a second support portion 332B.

Each of the first support portion 331B and the second support portion 332B in the fourth embodiment is constituted by a single member, and is formed in a triangle shape as viewed from above. The triangular shape is such that the first restricting surface 331Aa or the second restricting surface 332Aa constitutes the base of the triangle. That is, each of the first support portion 331B and the second support portion 332B is formed in a so-called tapered shape such that the length thereof in the feeding direction becomes smaller toward the free end side thereof in the width direction. Further, in a state where the first restricting surface 331Aa and the second restricting surface 332Aa are closest to each other, the free end portions of the first supporting portion 331B and the second supporting portion 332B cross the center position (center line) B and have lengths in the width direction so that the free end portions thereof contact the second restricting surface 332Aa and the first restricting surface 331Aa, respectively. That is, in a state where the first restricting surface 331Aa and the second restricting surface 332Aa are closest to each other, the first supporting portion 331B and the second supporting portion 332B have a shape overlapping each other as seen from the feeding direction. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the degree of inclination of the first and second restricting surfaces 331Aa and 332Aa caused by the component tolerance is reduced, so that the positional error at the upper end portions of these restricting surfaces is also reduced.

Incidentally, other configurations, actions, and effects in the fourth embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted from the description.

< other examples >

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the configuration is described in which both the first support portion and the second support portion cross the center position B in the state where the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate are closest to each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which only the first support portion (or the second support portion) crosses the center position B may also be adopted. Even in this case, an effect of reducing the positional error at the upper end portion of the support portion including the restriction surface crossing the center position B can be achieved.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a configuration is described in which, in a state where the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate are closest to each other, the free end portion of the first support portion contacts the second restriction surface and the free end portion of the second support portion contacts the first restriction surface. However, the free end of the first support portion or the free end of the second support portion may only need to slightly cross the central position B. Even in this case, an effect of reducing the positional error can be achieved as compared with a configuration in which the free end portion of the support portion does not cross the center position B. In other words, when at least a part of the first support portion and the second support portion crosses the center position B, an effect of reducing the positional error can be achieved as compared with a configuration in which the free end portions of the support portions do not cross the center position B. Further, in this case, the portion in which the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate contact each other in the state where these side restriction plates are closest to each other is not limited to the free end portion of the first support portion or the second support portion. For example, it is considered that any portion of the first support portion of the first side restriction plate (or the second support portion of the second side restriction plate) is in contact with a predetermined portion such as a protrusion of the original tray or the like. Further, it is also conceivable that the first rack (or the second rack) fixed to the first side restriction plate (or the second side restriction plate) contacts a predetermined portion such as a protrusion of the original tray.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, a configuration is described in which the shapes of the first support portion and the second support portion are rectangular shapes when viewed from above, and in the above-described fourth embodiment, a configuration is described in which the shapes of the first support portion and the second support portion are triangular shapes when viewed from above. However, the shape is not limited thereto, and may be any shape as long as when the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate move in the width direction, the movement thereof is not affected and the free end portion of the first support portion or the second support portion crosses the center position B. For example, in a state where the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate are closest to each other, the shape of the boundary between the first support portion and the second support portion may also be an arcuate shape or a stepped shape. A gap (interval) may also be provided between the first support portion and the second support portion.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the inclination of the first and second restriction surfaces due to the component tolerance between the base-side slidable portion and the free-end-side slidable portion in the first and second support portions and the positional error at the upper ends of the first and second restriction surfaces are described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the slidable portions of the first and second support portions that are slidable on the upper surface of the original tray may also have a flat surface shape so that the slidable portions come into surface contact with the upper surface of the original tray. That is, the present invention is applicable to a case where the shapes of the slidable portions of the first support portion and the second support portion cause a difference in height in the up-down direction due to component tolerances, particularly between the base side and the free end side.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the configuration in which the rack and pinion mechanism is used as the linking mechanism for linking the first side restriction plate and the second side restriction plate is described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a mechanism that links the first and second side restriction plates to each other by a combination of a belt and a pulley may also be used, that is, any mechanism may be used when the mechanism has a linking function.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a configuration in which a sheet feeding apparatus is provided in an image reading apparatus is described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The sheet feeding apparatus may also be a manual feed tray, a feed cassette, or the like, which are provided with a first side restriction plate and a second side restriction plate between which a sheet as a recording material can be placed. Even in this case, the degree of tilting movement is reduced, and in the case of forming an image on a sheet by the image forming engine 60, the degree of deterioration of the positional accuracy can be reduced, so that the reduction of the degree of deterioration of the positional accuracy can be achieved.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:

a stacking tray configured to stack sheets;

a feeding portion configured to feed sheets stacked on the stacking tray in a feeding direction; and

a first restriction member and a second restriction member provided on an upper surface of the stack tray in a manner movable in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction,

wherein the first restriction member includes a first restriction surface that is in contact with one end side of the sheets stacked on the stack tray with respect to the width direction for restricting one position of the sheets with respect to the width direction, and a first support portion formed to extend from a lower end portion of the first restriction surface toward the width direction,

wherein the second restriction member includes a second restriction surface that is in contact with one end side of the sheets stacked on the stack tray with respect to the width direction for restricting another position of the sheets with respect to the width direction, and a second support portion formed to extend from a lower end portion of the second restriction surface toward the width direction,

Wherein a first free end portion of the first support surface positioned closest to one side of the second restriction member in the width direction and a second free end portion of the second support surface positioned closest to one side of the first restriction member in the width direction are disposed at different positions from each other with respect to the feeding direction.

2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface has a shape such that a length in the feeding direction becomes shorter toward a side of the first free end portion, and

wherein the second support surface has a shape such that a length in the feeding direction becomes shorter toward a side of the second free end portion.

3. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface has a shape including a first inclined portion inclined toward the feeding direction such that a width becomes wider in the width direction toward a downstream side of the feeding direction when viewed from above,

wherein the second support surface has a shape including a second inclined portion inclined toward the feeding direction such that a width becomes wider in the width direction toward a downstream side of the feeding direction when viewed from above, and

Wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are disposed opposite to each other with respect to the feeding direction.

4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a linkage mechanism configured to move, when one of the first restriction member and the second restriction member moves in the width direction, the other of the first restriction member and the second restriction member in a direction opposite to a movement direction of the one of the first restriction member and the second restriction member.

5. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first restriction member includes a first projection projecting toward a side opposite to the first support surface,

wherein the second restriction member includes a second protrusion protruding toward a side opposite to the second support surface,

wherein the stacking tray includes a first groove portion formed to extend in the width direction and configured to guide the first protrusion, and a second groove portion formed to extend in the width direction and configured to guide the second protrusion, and

Wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are disposed at different positions from each other with respect to the feeding direction.

6. An image reading apparatus comprising:

the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and

a reading portion configured to read an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding apparatus.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the image reading apparatus according to claim 6; and

an image forming portion configured to form an image read by the image reading device on a recording material.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and

an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding apparatus.